Marchers react to Trayvon Martin trial in Worcester

WORCESTER — About 60 people gathered at a protest Monday night, marching down Park Avenue to a 7-Eleven and purchasing Skittles and Arizona Iced Tea to remember Trayvon Martin.

Mr. Martin, 17, was shot and killed by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch member, who was found not guilty of the killing by a Florida jury on Saturday.

The jury's decision sparked outrage and spurned rallies in many cities across the country.

In Worcester, Alina Michelewicz and Thu Nguyen, both Clark University students, used Facebook to organize their protest which began at Chandler Street and Park Avenue.

The group was instructed to walk, single file holding their signs, to the 7-Eleven at the corner of May Street.

"Walk with your heads down as though you're walking to your death," Ms. Michelewicz said.

Once there, many went inside and purchased Skittles candy and iced tea, two items Mr. Martin had in his pockets when he was shot. They group formed a peace circle, shouting out words to express their feelings about the verdict.

"Outraged."

"Angry."

"Disappointed in our system."

The organizers said they hoped to "create a space where people could get out their frustrations." Once the event was over, they planned to "continue the dialogue." Both felt that while bigger events are planned, they wanted their small portion of the community to come together.

"For me I think it was about healing. We were frustrated and angered and we wanted to channel it in a positive way," Ms. Ngyen said.

Earlier in the evening, Ariana Sims-Butler gathered with a small group behind City Hall. They talked about racial profiling and some of the experiences they had.

William Goodman, 20, wears dreadlocks and said a police officer once asked him if he was carrying a fake ID.

"He didn't believe my name could be William," he said.

He and his friends talked about being stopped by police and questioned, many times when they felt there was no reason. He said he believes the jury in Florida got things wrong.

"How do I teach my kids (someday) to do the Pledge of Allegiance? With liberty and justice for all? There was no justice," he said.

Some of the group said they disagree with the stand-your-ground law and want tighter gun control.

At the May Street event, Joseph Corrazini said the recent events have "shaken me to my core."

He stood in the center of the candle-lit circle pouring small amounts of a canned iced tea onto the ground. With each splash he said he was remembering young minority men who were murdered and mourning the families they wouldn't have, the marriages, and the lives they'd never live.

Contact Kim Ring at kring@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimmring.